Plans afoot to curb Mumbadevi snarls

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is exploring the possibility of setting up a parking space in the congested Mumbadevi area of South Mumbai. The idea itself has helped restore hope in residents, traders and shopkeepers of one of the the busiest markets in the city. The only available vacant plot in the vicinity is that of a now-demolished municipal school.

However, BMC will first need to change the reservation of the plot and seek necessary approvals from the civic body's general body, which includes elected corporators.

Apart from housing the iconic Mumbadevi Temple — revered by many as the guardian goddess of the city — the area has a mix of residential and commercial buildings, including the bustling Zaveri Bazar, the iconic gold jewellery and bullion market. There are a number of other markets in the area.

According to Vinod Wadala Jain, President of the Mumbai Wholesale Gold Jewellers Association, a parking facility was the need of the hour for the area, and the association had been pushing for it since 2006. "We need a parking space for at least 200-250 vehicles. If the new parking facility sees the light of day, it will help ease traffic woes in Mumbadevi and its surrounding areas. The area is always bustling with activity because there are numerous markets," said Jain.

The idea for the parking lot came from Jivak Ghegadmal, Assistant Commissioner of C ward, while a suggestion has also been made for a reservation in the Development Plan 2034. Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta has asked Additional Municipal Commissioner Pallavi Darade to visit the site and submit a report on the possibility of creating a parking lot.

Ghegadmal said haphazard parking has led to traffic congestion and chaos. "A number of visitors frequent the temple and gold market on a daily basis. I have received suggestions from traders, shopkeepers and even from the temple trust to ease the traffic issue. There are two plots behind Mumbadevi Temple. One is a primary municipal school and other is a playground. "If a multi-level parking lot is built on the school plot, classes can be held on the upper floors of the building. The building will serve two purposes," said Ghegadmal, adding that the parking lot will ease the traffic burden on connected roads.

A senior Education Department official said the school would accommodate 840 students before the structure was declared dilapidated, and was vacated. Students were enrolled into other schools in the area.

AMC Darade said she had visited the proposed site and submitted a report. "We have asked the traffic department to let us know about the roads they want to decongest, and what their suggestions are for the plan," said Darade.